University College Dublin

My lecturers have been really nice so far, especially the module coordinator who said she wouldn't penalize me for late submission due to formatting issues. It's reassuring to have that flexibility, and it makes me less worried about strict word counts and deadlines.

As a former study abroad student at UCD, I found the lecturers spoke at a comfortable pace. I used different devices for different subjects—pen for Calculus, iPad for Pharmacology, laptop for Evobio. Don't try to type every word; focus on important points. Sit up front if a lecturer is soft-spoken. Don't stress too much as a freshman—many have the same concerns.

I spent last summer on YouTube finding study tips and tried different methods. For lectures, I use an iPad with Notability to take notes, import lecturer slides, and even record sessions—the AI even makes flashcards. I still use pen and paper for memorization. Found what works for me; a classmate adopted it too. I also got a laptop for assignments since iPads aren't great for that. Do your research on study skills before starting—it helped me stay consistent.

I just finished the Access Course at UCD. We were on campus three times a week – Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. Maths was the most flexible because the lecturer usually does it online but is always in class. Attendance is really important for most classes, especially sciences. I was working full-time and it was stressful. The workload is crazy, especially Chemistry with quizzes every Monday. But if you focus, you can manage. Overall a challenging but rewarding experience.

The feedback system here feels insincere. I spoke to a lecturer who said the school only cares about student input when considering curriculum changes, which is pretty disappointing. It's tough seeing dedicated lecturers pushed to force us into giving feedback. Some of them are great, but the whole process just lacks genuine engagement. The university could do much better at actually listening.

UCD's grading policies are a joke. You can't appeal grades unless there's a procedural error, and you can't even review your script or question the lecturer. It's a 'put up with it' culture. Teaching is clearly an afterthought since the focus is on research. Well-being policies are meaningless when you're forced to retake failed modules alongside new ones. The SU knows about these issues in some programs but hasn't fixed anything. Zero transparency or accountability.

The module feedback process has become really pushy. They changed the system without telling students, so I was shocked to get a reflection before Christmas—prior to this, data was only released after results. Two module coordinators didn't even bother providing reflections. Worse, a tutor stood over me while I opened Brightspace to fill it in, and others guilt-tripped us. It feels forced and disrespectful.

If you're an international student, there might be some accommodation options, but for nationals like me, it's tough. We don't even get our placements until late August, which makes planning impossible.

As an international student here, I feel the university and recruitment agencies greatly exaggerate how easy life is in Ireland. The reality is much tougher than advertised. Be honest with prospective students about the challenges of living here.

I'm worried that UCD is an outlier compared to other universities. Why can't we ask external examiners to review our marking? Appeals are only procedural, and very few past exam papers are available online—other colleges provide multiple. The feedback system feels like a token gesture, leaving us vulnerable to petty-minded academics. Also, why can't we sit repeats in August like UCC or NUIG? The union hasn't been proactive enough on this.